Red Flags that Tell You a Candidate is a Bad Fit

When you’re hiring for a new position, you need to weight all of the required qualifications with each candidate resume and interview to determine the right fit. But what if something doesn’t seem quite right? There are a few things that can tip you off to strange circumstances on a resume and make you think twice about hiring. Here are some red flags to watch out for to avoid a bad hire.

Dates don’t align. Sometimes, candidates will hide information blatantly by leaving dates off the resume all together. Or you might notice extreme gaps, wrong dates, or inconsistent information. If they struggle to explain this information, there’s probably a reason why. Pay attention to how they react when you call them out on these details.

Responsibilities indicate demotion. While there may be some exceptions, candidates who have taken on significant demotions after a job change may have hidden issues within their experience and background. They may have been unable to keep up with more advanced job requirements. Or their previous employer may have fired them for performance issues. If they hesitate or can’t give you an answer that explains this change, it could be a problem.

Unfocused resumes. When a candidate applies to a job, they should tailor their resume to the specific employer. Even if they don’t, you shouldn’t have to guess what they want when you read their resume. If their skills aren’t precise and they don’t seem to be selling themselves for your specific position, there may be some concerns about their ability to work with your company.

Nonexistent data. Accomplishments are now considered the biggest focus of a resume, rather than just a laundry list of duties. This helps employers really see how a person can fit into their job. But if the candidate doesn’t include any data or their data doesn’t seem to be accurate, it may not be an accident. They may exaggerate, or worse, which can mean big problems if you decide to hire them.

If you have reservations about a potential employee, be sure to complete your due diligence by following up on their references and making an informed decision.